Asian Xenid vs Bee-fly Strepsipteran

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Asian Xenid Bee-fly Strepsipteran
Scientific Name Xenos oxyodontes Stylops ater
Order Strepsiptera Strepsiptera
Family Xenidae Stylopidae
Size 3.0-4.5 mm (males) 2.0-3.5 mm (males)
Habitat Woodlands Rivers & Streams
Diet Parasites Parasites
Regions Asia Europe
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Asian Xenid

A strepsipteran parasite of Ropalidia paper wasps in tropical Asia. It modifies host wasp social behavior and colony dynamics.

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Did You Know?

Parasitized worker wasps become lazy freeloaders that beg food from nestmates instead of foraging.

Bee-fly Strepsipteran

A dark-bodied strepsipteran that parasitizes Andrena mining bees in Europe. The triungulins actively seek out host bee larvae in nest cells.

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Did You Know?

Tiny first-instar larvae ride on flowers and grab onto visiting bees for transport back to the bee's nest.